Reptile Gardens News from Reptile Gardens (South Dakota)

snowleopard

snowleopard

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15+ year member
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I just uploaded about 60 photos of this South Dakota attraction into the gallery, and I mention it here because sometimes photos can get lost in the shuffle and I had received some requests for this facility. There are some zoo nerds that only check the daily postings and not the gallery and so now those individuals will be updated.:)
 
2022 News:

On March 14th, it was reported that the zoo celebrated its 85th anniversary on March 5th.

https://www.keloland.com/news/eye-on-keloland/85-years-at-reptile-gardens/

On May 26th, it was reported that the zoo built an exhibit for their (0.0.1) king vulture in Avian Avenue and is constructing an exhibit for their laughing kookaburras (which would have been finished by now).

It was also reported that the zoo has a 5-year expansion plan, which includes building new exhibits for its alligators and crocodiles, as well as new ponds and walkways behind the Prairie Dog Town area. There are also plans to build a new tortoise exhibit and butterfly house in the current bald eagle exhibit, in which the eagle would be moved closer to Avian Avenue.

Exotic oasis expands; Reptile Gardens begins construction on new additions to the park
 
I am planning to visit Grand Rapids area in August (family trip to Mount Rushmore), and would like to know how much time is needed to comfortably see the Reptile Gardens. Would two hours be enough?
 
zoo_enthusiast said:
I am planning to visit Grand Rapids area in August (family trip to Mount Rushmore), and would like to know how much time is needed to comfortably see the Reptile Gardens. Would two hours be enough?
Click to expand...

On July 29th, 2014, I visited Bear Country USA in the morning and it was an interesting experience to see 6 Cougars all together and 40-50 American Black Bears in the same drive-through exhibit. Only two miles down the road is the Reptile Gardens facility and I spent two hours there. I think that some people could easily spend an extra hour looking at the snakes or watching a show. I then added on Bramble Park Zoo to round off the day!

I posted short reviews (and a list of species) on my Snowleopard's 2014 Road Trip thread:

Snowleopard's 2014 Road Trip
 
@snowleopard Thank you very much! Your threads are a wonderful resource for trip planning! Bear Country USA is also on my list of places to visit during that trip, as well as the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park. I wasn’t planning to include Bramble Park Zoo - need to check out their current collection to see if they have anything that I haven’t seen
 
On October 3rd, 2023, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2+?) pied warty frogs which are now on exhibit.

Reptile Gardens - Welcome to our new residents! These are...

On October 10th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2+?) knob-tailed geckos (species not specified) which are now on exhibit.

Reptile Gardens - Meet our new Knobtail Geckos! They are...

On October 17th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.1+) question-mark cockroaches which are now on exhibit in the Big Bug gallery.

Reptile Gardens - Another of our new residents - the...
 
On February 21st, 2024, it was reported that the zoo acquired (0.0.2) gila monsters named Potato and Winston from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources after one of the lizards fatally bit their owner.

Pair of Gila monsters transported to Reptile Gardens after one fatally bit Colorado owner

On March 27th, the zoo announced that (0.0.4) monocled cobras hatched.

Hmmm.... I wonder what we have here?! | By Reptile GardensFacebook
These baby Monocled Cobras hatched a couple of weeks ago. Babies are fully functional and venomous at the time they hatch. They are not more dangerous... | By Reptile GardensFacebook

On April 13th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2+?) axolotls hatched.

Reptile Gardens

On April 22nd, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) red-footed tortoise hatched.

What a great way to Celebrate Earth Day and to kick off Turtle and Tortoise Week! Check out www.turtlefest.events to find out how to get involved! | By Reptile GardensFacebook
 
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